Bible Commentaries
Numbers 17

Verse 1

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 2

children = sons.

Verse 4

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. See App-40 .

testimony = the ark of the covenant. Compare Exodus 25:16

you. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "thee".

Verse 7

laid up the rods. Korah's rebellion added two things to the tabernacle: Aaron's rod within, brazen plates without (Numbers 16:39 , Numbers 16:40 ).

tabernacle of witness = tent of (or containing) the testimony (i.e. the ark, and the two tables). App-40 . See note on Exodus 25:22 .

Verse 8

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 10

said. See note on Numbers 3:40 .

testimony = the ark of the covenant, as in Numbers 17:4 .

rebels. Hebrew sons of rebellion. Genitive of character = rebellious ones.

take away = assuage, or, abate, as in Numbers 17:5 . Compare Genesis 8:1 .

Verse 12

we perish, we all perish. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), to enhance the alarm of the People.

Verse 13

tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40 .

die . . . dying. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), as in Numbers 17:12 , to emphasize alarm.